Model year
2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 23 complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5), POWER TRAIN (4). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 24 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
Recalls
10V621000 · Dec 10, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB…
07V442000 · Sep 24, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES…
Complaints
23 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 4, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Rabbit · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 29 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.